Newsline: Palestinian Authority open new embassy in Brazilian capital

The Palestinian embassy in the Brazilian capital of Brasilia inaugurated its diplomatic mission. The event, which was led by the Palestinian Authority’s envoy to Brazil, Ibrahim Alzeben, was attended by left-wing Brazilian government officials, representatives of Arab countries and members of the local Arab community. In his speech Alzeben thanked all those who supported the building of the embassy, which is topped with a golden dome to resemble the Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem. Brazil recognized the Palestinian State in 2010 and that since then, the Palestine Special Delegation has been recognized as an embassy. The inauguration comes as Brazil and Israel clash over the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s nomination of Dani Dayan as ambassador. Netanyahu has said that if Dayan is not approved to become Israel’s ambassador to Brazil, a different ambassador will not be sent in his place, and if this should happen Israel will only have a deputy ambassador to the South American country, representing a de facto downgrade in relations.